DON’T BE FOOLED BY MUNSTER FORM, SAYS RENNIE

DAVE RENNIE has warned his Glasgow Warriors players not to expect an easy ride against Munster today despite the Irish club’s indifferent start to the season. In their opening six games in the Pro14, Munster have won three and lost three, with one of those defeats coming in the reverse fixture at Scotstoun in early September. Their patchy domestic results, though, have been offset by the fact they sit top of their section in the Heineken Champions Cup in a pool which includes Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester and Castres after the opening two rounds of fixtures. Wary of the threat his players will face at a ground the Scottish club have found difficulty at in the past, Rennie said: ‘Munster have been tough at home. They absolutely smashed Ulster a few weeks ago, although they tripped up against us at Scotstoun. ‘Looking at their form in Europe, they’re in a really tough group. To be leading that after two weeks, having played Exeter away and Gloucester at home, is pretty impressive. ‘They are clearly a tough team and even more so at home. We are mindful of the physical battle that we’ll face because we’ll have to be really strong with and without the ball to get a result. ‘Thomond Park is a tough venue because you invariably face a high quality home team. You shouldn’t let the atmosphere intimidate you. The players should embrace it.’ Chris Fusaro will make his 150th appearance for Glasgow if he comes off the bench as a replacement, while Rennie has selected the Horne brothers as his half-back pairing. ‘They’ve played together in the half-backs before,’ added the head coach. ‘Pete is probably the calming influence on George. We’re excited to see how they go together. ‘Gregor (Townsend) has communicated really well with us and we’re pleased with the guys who have been released from the Scotland camp.’